Method and apparatus for the extension of a user session based on the expected value of the activities presented in the extend session

Abstract

A system for scheduling activities at a user terminal associated with a point-of-service station, such that the users idle time is exceeded when the value of the idle time is likely to exceed the cost of overrunning the primary transaction associated with the point-of-service station. When the cost of overrun is expected to be greater than the value of the activity the activity is not presented to the user. This determination is made by using value criteria, the expected value of the activity, and the expected overrun of the activity. Additionally, the value criteria may be modified by the interarrival time of users at the point-of-service station or the utilization of the point-of-service station.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A system for determining if additional activities can presented to a user during idle time of a primary transaction of a user at a terminal in a venue, in a manner that optimized the value to said venue, the system comprising: 
 at least one terminal located at the venue of said primary transaction, including means for presenting activities to said user and for receiving responses from said user;    a venue server with which said terminal can communicate, said venue server having an activity database describing said activities available for presentation to said user, and a venue database; 
 said activity database having means to identify and define said activities for presentation to said user, the value of said activities, and a means to establish the time to completion of said activity;  
 said venue database having means to specify the value of said primary transactions of said venue, and means to specify a value criteria for determining if said activity should be presented;  
   means to associate said user with one or more said activities;    means for estimating an expected user idle time;    means for selecting one of said associated activities such that said activities has an estimated time that probably does not exceed said    expected user idle time, unless said value of said activity meets said value criteria.    
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1 , having further means to selecting an additional said activity after the completion of said activity.  
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 1 , having further means to determine the utilization of a point-of-service station associated with said terminal, and to use said utilization to modify said selection means.  
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 1 , having further means to determine the interarrival time of user to a point-of-service station associated with said terminal, and to use said interarrival time to modify said selection means.  
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1 , having further means to specify said value of said primary transaction and said value of said activities in terms of a time-value.  
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 5 , having further means to calculate the expected value of said activities based on the duration of the expected overrun of said activities, using said calculated expected value in said means for selecting activities.  
     
     
         7 . A system for determining if additional activities can presented to a user during idle time of a primary transaction of a user at a terminal in a venue, in a manner that optimized the value to said venue, the system comprising: 
 at least one terminal located at the venue of said primary transaction, including means for presenting activities to said user and for receiving responses from said user;    a venue server with which said terminal can communicate, said venue server having an activity database describing said activities available for presentation to said user, and a venue database; 
 said activity database having means to identify and define said activities for presentation to said user, the value of said activities, and a means to establish the time to completion of said activity;  
 said venue database having means to specify the time-value of said primary transactions of said venue, and value criteria for continuation of said activity said presentation to said user;  
   means to associate said user with one or more said activities;    means for detecting the end of idle time;    means for selecting from one or more of said associated activities such that said selected activity has an estimated value that meets said value criteria.    
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 7 , having further means to selecting an additional said activity after the completion of said activity.  
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 7 , having further means to determine the utilization of a point-of-service station associated with said terminal, and to use said utilization to modify said value criteria.  
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 7 , having further means to determine the interarrival time of user to a point-of-service station associated with said terminal, and to use said interarrival time to modify said value criteria.  
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 7 , having further means to specify said value of said primary transaction and said value of said activities in terms of a time-value.  
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11 , having further means to calculate the expected value of said activities based on the duration of the expected overrun of said activities, using said calculated expected value in said means for selecting activities.